The New Nation - Internet Edition

As part of its pro-worker activities that will continue throughout the year and to develop good relations between the owners of knitwear factories and the workers, the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) arranged a daylong 'Workers Festival’ at the Osmani Stadium in Narayanganj

Addressing the inaugural session of the festival, BKMEA president Fazlul Hoque said, 'We are trying to take more care of the workers who make world-class apparels for export and have helped us to earn over $5.5 billion in foreign exchange in the last financial year.’ He said measures are being taken to solve the problems between owners and workers of knitwear factories. The BKMEA’s directors and two senior knitwear workers were present at the opening programme. Workers from Dhaka, Savar and Gazipur also participated in the festival.

Since early morning the roads adjacent to the Osmani Stadium remained congested for the whole day as thousands of workers, male and female, marched towards the first festival of its kind. Several thousands of workers were seen standing outside the stadium as it had failed to accommodate them. A large stage was built at the south-east side of the stadium where various programmes including concert, dance and drama, were performed.

The programmes were produced by several knitwear factories including Fakir Apparels, Bay Cotton, Fatullah Fabrics, Lakhya Knitwear, Model D’ Capital and Anwara Textiles. The whole programme was conducted by BKMEA’s vice-president, Zahidul Hoque Dipu, and its director, GM Faruk.

Photos: Amdadul Huq / DrikNEWS

Text: Humaira Fatima / DrikNEWS